David Francis Smith

On June 20, 2023 David F. Smith (Dave) a 27 year Veteran Naval Aviator took off one last time....climbing into the clear blue sky...never to log another landing.

Born and raised in Audubon, New Jersey, Dave joined the Navy Reserve while a senior in high school, beginning a 30 year career of active and reserve service.  In 1957 he entered the Navy's aviation cadet program and earned his wings, commission and helicopter pilot's designation in September 1958 and was assigned to a helicopter squadron in Norfolk, VA.

In January 1961, Dave resigned his commission and took a position as captain with Air America, flying numerous missions in Lobe, South East Asia. Later in '61 he re-joined the Navy in Norfolk and married Ann Lucy of Norfolk. They were transferred to Lemoore, CA, where he was one of two Helo Search and Rescue Pilots assigned to a Master Jet Base.  Their next assignment was Argentia, Newfoundland, Canada.

In Newfoundland, they had a daughter Alisa Marie, born in June 1965. Ann died in an auto accident in 1970. Dave converted to reserve status while he raised Alisa and pursued his Baccalaureate and Masters degrees in secondary education at Old Dominion University in Norfolk.  He then taught at Virginia Beach City Schools and Tidewater Community College.

In 1985 he married Margaret Jean Wintrode of Dale City, Virginia who was also a single parent of two children, Paul Joseph who now lives in Salem, Oregon and Mary Ann Coyle of Christ Church, VA.

In 1985 Dave and Jean moved to Nags Head, North Carolina where they founded and operated Seacoast Enterprises, a home repair business.  He was twice president of the Outer Banks Kiwanis Club.  They relocated to Nelson County, Virginia in 2021.  Dave was active with the Piney River Boy Scout Troop 32, Massies Mill Ruritans, Nelson County Habitat for Humanity and The Virginia Adopt-A-Highway Program.

Dave is survived by his wife Margaret Jean, daughters Dr. Alisa Marie Smith-Kayal, Mary Ann Coyle, son Paul Joseph Wintrode, grandchildren, Christiane Kayal, Gabriella Kayal, Amanda Coyle, and grandson Ryan Coyle. Dave is also survived by a nephew Joseph Smith of Sicklerville, New Jersey .

He will be missed.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m.  on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lovingston, Virginia with Father Rogeilo Abadano officiating.

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 6 - 7 p.m. on Friday, June 23, 2023 at Wells/Sheffield Funeral Chapel, Lovingston, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to St. Mary's Catholic Church Lady's Guild, 9900 Thomas Nelson Highway, Lovingston, VA 22949.

Arrangements under the direction of Well/Sheffield Funeral Chapel, Lovingston, VA (434-263-4097).